Recess at 20 Below

By Cindy Lou Aillaud

Most enjoyed by Kindergartners through 3rd graders

This is the perfect book for today! Why? Because the weather forcast is calling for a high of 80 degrees, a temperature we haven't seen in what seems like centuries (actually, several months but those months feel like centuries). And since the first days of the week were rainy and cold and reminiscent of winter, it's time to feature a book that will have us counting our blessings today!

'Recess at 20 Below' by Cindy Lou Aillaud.

Need I say more? You're right, but I will. Author Cindy Lou Aillaud lives and teaches in Alaska, where the winters are long and extremely cold. Even if the temperature gets down to 20 below zero, the kids are allowed to go outside for recess. And what fun they have! Playing football, building snow forts - all the regular recess activities are done with the same spirit as if it were 20 above zero. Ms. Aillaud uses photos she took of the children at play to show just how much fun they can have despite the bitter cold. I love the photos of the kids with frosty eyelashes, the result of their warm breathe rising above their mufflered mouths. When do the kids stay inside? When a moose comes to the playground for lunch!

I'll bet there will be a few readers who will wish they were up in Alaska playing in the snow with the book's kids. But perhaps they'll enjoy today's weather and wish for snow tomorrow!

Snow

Written by Cynthia Rylant

Illustrated by Lauren Stringer

Most enjoyed by snow lovers of all ages

Grrrrr! More snow! Haven't we had enough already? But wait - don't you remember the first snow of this winter season? You don't? Hmmmm, time for you to pick up 'Snow' by Cynthia Rylant and Lauren Stringer. Thumb through the pages and you'll soon see that new snow in a different light. Here is a book that will make you appreciate snow's beauty; it's reminder that it is time for quiet activities, for conversation and games and yummy hot drinks. 'Snow' is a reminder of everything we enjoy when we savor that first snow. And yes, the book will help you enjoy this new snow we've just received!

The Penguin Story

Written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis
Most enjoyed by Preschoolers and Kindergartners

Edna Penguin is sure there is something more in the world than white, black, and blue. After all, her world is limited to those three colors, the ones she sees each night and day. She sets off to look for something and when she discovers it, that something opens up the world for Edna and the other penguins. But will Edna be content to stop at what she has found?

'A Penguin Story' isn't just about color. It's about looking at the world around us and enjoying all it has to offer. Little readers will watch with anticipation as Edna finds what she's looking for, then delight in trying to guess what it is. Edna's joy is contagious. Why not play a color guessing game with your reader? Hide something colorful but leave just a bit of it showing. Can your listener guess what that something is? Of course, if that fails to further the fun, there's always the opportunity to wear a headpiece like Edna's!

Winter is the Warmest Season

by Lauren Stringer

Most enjoyed by Preschoolers through 2nd grade

Does that title make sense? Is winter really the warmest season? Let's take a look inside 'Winter is the Warmest Season' and see what we can find.....

..warm mittens

..hot chocolate

..hats with earflaps

..cats on laps

Hmmm...those things sound pretty warm, don't you think? Read 'Winter is the Warmest Season' then see if you can make your own list of all the things that make your winter warm!

The Three Snow Bears

By Jan Brett

Most enjoyed by Pre-K through 2nd graders

Here is the story of Goldilocks and the three bears but isntead of being in the woods, this version takes place in the Arctic. While the polar bears are out for a stroll to let their breakfast cool, a curious little Inuit girl named Aloo-ki wanders into their house, the biggest igloo she's ever seen. Youngsters will enjoy this familiar tale told with polar bears and sled dogs and lots of snow.

Jan Brett uses her traditional illustration style of including side panels on each page to give a hint of what's to come or what action is going on elsewhere. It makes a fun guessing game to see if you, the reader, can predict what will happen next. Enjoy this frosty tale!

Snow Day!
By Lester L. Laminack
Illustrated by Adam Gustavson
Most enjoyed by anyone wishing for a snow day!

Okay, the day after a January tornado passes through our area is probably not the right time to post about a book that celebrates snow days. But if I don't do this one now, you'll miss this it when a snow day looms. And if a winter rain storm and flooding can be in our forecast, surely a snow day won't be too far away?

What makes snow days so special? Is it the change of routine, the piles of snow, the chance to stay in our jammies all day? Maybe it's a little bit of all those things! 'Snow Day' does a great job at catching all the excitement and anticipation a snow day brings. From the weather reports the night before to the dreams of sipping hot chocolate and building snow forts, it's all here. But what makes the book really fun to read is finding out at the very end who the narrator is! Can you guess who is telling the story as you read?

Teachers, enjoy this as a last minute read-aloud the day your class starts hoping for a snow day. Kids, read this anytime and start making of list of all you'll do on your next snow day. You never know, one could be around the corner!

One Winter's Day

By M. Christina Butler

Illustrated by Tina Macnaughton

Most enjoyed by Pre-K through 2nd grade

One windy day, cold air blew Hedgehog's house away. He bundled up in his hat, mittens and scarf and went to stay with Badger. But as he walked along, he met a family of mice, an otter, and a young fawn all shivering from the cold. By the time he reached Badger's house, Hedgehog had shared his hat, mittens and scarf with his friends. But Hedgehog was worried - would he be able to find enough sticks and grass to make a new house after such a terrible storm? Hedgehog's worries are put to rest when he find his kindness in sharing repaid by his friends..

This is a cozy book for a lap-sitting story time. Cuddle up and enjoy touching the fuzzy hat, mittens and scarf that appear on many of the pages. Let the wind howl outside while you stay warm along with little Hedgehog and his friends.